It has taken me a long time to read this slim collection of poems. How could I read these any quicker...it would be an injustice. Each poem took (and utterly deserved) many, many readings and then days of contemplation. I read it alongside Red Comet by Heather Clark, the very excellent biography of Plath. This helped me understand the poems more and to see all the different levels wrapped inside each one. Some of the latter poems e.g. Poppies in July and Edge, were so deeply sad, shocking and disturbing. Others, like Nick and the Candlestick made me smile, albeit sadly.
So the words I have used here (sad and disturbing) make it sound like this book is too depressing to read.that is not the case, it is thought provoking and beautiful and rewarding. It deserves time and effort to read and appreciate it’s greatness..and it truly is great! Masterful. It has the power to cut you to your core. It also makes you see so many things in a new light. Balloons will now always make think of the poem of that name in this collection.
There are many review articles on the internet of most of these poems. Some I agreed with and found they helped, others I just disagreed with and found superficial and pandering to Plath myth. I am not into Tarot at all but Plath was, and it was interesting to explore that with some of this book.
I like to listen to poetry read aloud while I read along. It is disappointing that Audible has many male poets reading their work and others but nothing available for Plaths work which is so incredible read aloud.

This is a special and earth shattering book. It has a well deserved place on my favourite books of all time book shelf.

Plaths poetry ...in my opinion...is a hundred times better than her novel.

My favourite poem ever is Tulips in this collection. So clever and it sort of makes you close your eyes and open them inside Plaths head in that hospital bed...spookily brilliant